Goodell apologizes to fans for ref lockout

Source: AP-Chicago Tribune

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized Thursday to fans for having to use replacement officials during a lockout of regular refs. The impasse led to three weeks of questionable calls — and one that cost the Green Bay Packers a win.

Goodell made his comments during a conference call about 12 hours after the referees' union and league agreed on a tentative deal that will allow the regular officials to return beginning with Thursday night's Browns-Ravens game.

1. You're just a common greedy exploitative union-busting management thug

Who apparently learned nothing from your locking out the players. Once again, you hung tough until you could no longer ignore the public's choruses of "Bull-SHIT!" -- you common, greedy, exploitative, union-busting management thug!

2. two things. please tell me they keep their pension. and do they have a say one hire/fire

5. ...(C)urrent officials that they will continue to receive the pensions they were receiving

...new officials will get 401(k) plans which will eventually phase out the pensions, and the average and maximum salaries will rise throughout the life of the eight-year agreement. It also puts into place the possibility of hiring full-time officials (all NFL officials are part-time, seasonal employees right now), as well as establishing reserve officials who will be paid and trained to replace regular officials found lacking.

...The owners made changes that should improve the game: There will be the 'bench' of officials that will be in the system and ready to replace underperforming officials in the future, which addresses the need to constantly evaluate officials and hold them accountable. The possibility of full-time officials working the games helps restore credibility for the game of football -- something that was likely damaged during this lockout.

The officials got to keep the pension structure and salary hikes that speak to the fact that business of football is booming even as so many other businesses are struggling in the country.